First of all, I would like to say I absolutely LOVE the Cash and Treasures show!!! I was flipping through the channels, when I happened upon the show on the travel channel. I was glued to the TV through four episodes! What I want to know is, where can I go treasure hunting within a reasonable driving distance from my area and make some good money? The episodes that I saw so far were in the South and South West of the US. What about the midwest? I live in Canton, Ohio. Any ideas please (especially on where to dig for platinum)? Thanks.

You're in luck. Contact the Stark County Gem & Mineral Club at P.O. Box 8261, Canton, OH 44711
Join up and you will soon be going on guided, sponsored hunts.
Here are two web pages that list clubs in Ohio.

http://www.rockngem.com/clubs.asp

http://www.rockhounds.com/rockshop/clubs/ohio.shtml

Happy Hunting, -Rocky.

There are some additional sites listed on the C and T wiki. Howeveer not Platinum. sry. Rocky gave you some great links as well. http://cash-and-treasures-wiki.travelchannel.com/page/Ohio

Paul

Excellent,

Thanks Rocky and Paul!

Say IR,
I went back and checked my field notes and here are a few spots in Stark County that the local clubs can help you out with.

The Robertsville Strip Mine is in section 23 of Osnaburg Township. Pyrite has been found there.

Pyrite is also found in a strip mine I don't have the name of, in section 21 of Sandy Township.

There's an abondened coal mine in section 16 of Paris Township with some Limonite & wurtzite.

And lastly, a railroad cut nearby in Paris where pickeringite has been found. What's pickeringite? Well, it's a very soft (1 1/2 - 2 on the mohs scale) monoclinic, magnesium aluminum silicate...mostly colorless to white, with a feathered look. Delicate stuff.

Here's where your local club is so important. First, there's the safety issue...remember the abandoned mine? Also, not only will the field trip director be familiar with these sites, but a sponsored, group is more likely to get permission to dig. It's good press for a mine or quarry to allow it from time-to-time, and it educates the public on what they do and and what a valuable part of the community they are.

I'll keep an eye out for platinum.
-Rocky.

I love your show, I watch all the time. I'm a big rock hound and I want to find treasures like Amethyst geodes, Obsidian, Smokey Quarts Cyrstal and Opal in my area can you please help me? I live in the south east corner of Idaho in bear lake county.

Jungles,
'Bout the only thing I know of in your county is 'Spence Gulch' trilobites at these coordinates:
lat=42.3033342843, lon=-111.509333026
I do not know of the land status. Remember, ANY fossil collecting on federal land is now a federal crime, even common leaves and such. So check the status first. Doesn't it give you a warm feeling to have an administration that protects your rights so well?
Your local club should have up to date info. Check them out here:
http://www.rockhounds.com/rockshop/clubs/idaho.shtml
Just a hop, skip & jump East in Wyoming there are fossils, fossils & petrified wood, but since you're after amethyst here's a spot.
The Blue Moon Rock Quarry & Dempsey Quarry
Kemmerer, Lincoln County, WY
lat=41.797909, lon=-110.540413
You will pass several fossil fields on hwy 30 on your way. Again, I am uncertain as to the current status of this site.
Happy hunting.
-Rocky.